Head-gate-operating mechanism



(No Model.) I

P. G. BROWN.

HEAD GATE OPERATING MEGHANISM.

No. 542,238. Patented July 9, 1895.

@WA/Ma@ a@ u mmxmW-@W v to its supporting UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

FRANK CORNING BROWN, OF HIGHLAND LAKE, COLORADO.

' HEAD-'GATE-QPERATING MECHANISM.

" sPEcIFIc'ATIoN fermingpart of Letters' Patent No. 542,238, dated July9, 1895.

Application filed April 8, 1895. Serial No. 544,973. (N o model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK CORNING BROWN, acitizen of the United Statesof America, reslding at Highland Lake, in the county of Weld and Stateof Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inHead-Gate Operating Mechanism; and I do declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked itLhereon, which form a part of thisspecificalon.

My invention relates to improvements in head-gates for ditches, flumes,and sluiceboxes. i

The objects of my invention are, irst, to provide means for raising orlowering and locking the gate at any desired distance or number-ofinches or fractions of an `inch above the bottom of the'flume; second,to provide a head-gate operating and locking mechanism, which when setin any desired position cannot be Achanged by removing. thev bolts orscrews used to secure it together and parts of the flume Withoutdestroying some of its parts or its supports; third, to provide ahead-gate operating and locking mechanism especially adapted to controlthe gates of irrigating flume-boxes, and one in which the lockingmechanism can only be unlocked by a properly-formed key. I attain theseobjects by the mechanism illustrated and described in the accompanyingdrawings and speciiication, in which- Figure l represents an elevation,partially in section, of a flume and gate and my improved ,operatingmechanism. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation in partial section throughline o o of Fig. 3, the operating mechanism being drawn to a largerscale and the flume portion to a smaller one. Fig. 3 represents a planview of the operating mechanism With only a fragment of a portion of thefiume. Fig. 4 represents a side elevation of the wormbox. Fig. 5represents a fragment in perspective. Fig. 6 represents a fragment inperspective. Fig. 7 represents a` plan and Fig. 8 represents two sectionof a fragment. views of the worm-gear.

Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

Referring to Fig. l, A designates the flume; B, the supports for thegate-operating mechanism; D, the gate; E, guides between which the gateis raised and lowered vertically.

F isa cast-box. It comprises two sides G, a back H, a front piece I,which closes the central part ofV the front of the box, projecting sidewings J, vadapted to receive securingbolts, and two interior partialtransverse partitions K and L, which, with the front I, form apartially-inclosed chamber, which has an opening its full size throughtheback H. The partial partitions K and L are formed with semicircularopenings in vertical align- A ment with one another. The upper one is,however, the-largest in diameter. They are arranged near the back H andare adapted to form a lateral support for the top hub of the worm-gear Mand the lower end of the actuating-rod N. From these semicircular wallsof the partitions the sides thereof diverge toward the front I and sidesG, andare provided with steps O, which are adapted to partially incloseand form guides for the spiral rack IJ to move'vertically in. This rackis provided with spirally-arranged teeth P', which lnesh with those ofthe worm.

A roller Q, which is provided with trunnions R, is journaled in suitablesemicircular recesses in the front to bear against the back of the rack,thereby holding it in mesh with the worm-gear and providing an almostfrictionless support for it. An extension P2, which forms a part of oris secured to it, is secured to the gate. The worm-gear Mis providedWith hubs M' and M2 at its ends. The

gear is supported in the chamber of thebox by the. hub M', bearing` inthe semicircular wall of the partition K, and by the hub M2, bearing inan independent block S, which rests on the lower partition L. This blockS (see Fig. 5) is .provided with an open space through it extending intoit from one side and terminating in a semicircular wall L', which formsa lateral support for the lower end of the round actuating-rod N.Concentric with this rod bearing in the block a semicircular sunken stepand wall L2 is formed in the block of larger diameter, which supportsthe lower hub of the worm and receives its end-thrust.

The step and wall also extend out to the side of the block concentricwith the smaller opening through it. This block is adapted to fitclosely but freely in the chamber of lthe box, and is prevented frommoving by its sides and the support B and the rack.

The worm-gear is cast with a hoollw center and hubs, the hole in thecenter of the worm being madelarger than those through the hub, as shownin dotted lines in Fig. 2, for a purpose which will be hereinafterdescribed.

The actuating-rod N is preferably a round rod. At its upper end it issquared and a wrench N is tted to it. Adjacent to its lower end a key orpin N2 is rigidly secured centrally in it to project a distance on eachside equal to the thickness of the shell of the hub M2. Diametricallyacrossthe hub a slot M3 is cut, adapted to receive the key, and in whichit can freely move vertically. This slot extends through the hub intothe charnber of the worm, which is of larger diameter than the key, toallow the key .to be drawn up into it by drawing the rod verticallythrough the worm. The lower partition is provided with a sunken recessLS in its center, which forms a passage-way for a lockingbolt T underthe said block. (See Fig. 5.)

U designates preferably a circular tumblercase. It fits over a boss H',cast to the back H. It is secured to the back by a screw 112. Thetun1bler-case is provided with a slot U', through which the locking-boltextends; also, a keyway U2. Two pins U3 are arranged in the case, (seeFig. 6,) on which pivot two tumblers V. The opposite ends of thetumblers are provided with a step V', which forms both a seat and ashoulder. The seat passes under the lockingbolt and the shoulder and endstrike against the edges of recesses T and T2 cut in the bolt to receivethem. Springs W' are arranged and secured in the case to hold eachtumbler against the edge of the locking-bar.

X designates a key. Its lock end is provided adjacent to its extreme endwith oppositely-arranged projections W'. Its extreme end fits into ahole X', formed in the boss l-l. When the key is inserted in the case,the projections register between and against the tumblers, and if thekey be turned they are thereby separated and moved back away from thelocking-bar, swinging on their pivots against the springs. The lock-casefits into a hole Y, bored into the support B, to receive it. A slot Y'for the locking-bar and also a keyway Y2 are cut through it.Consequently the lock-case is inaccessible.

N designates a handle by which the actuating-rod is turned.

Z are bolts for securing the box to the support B. Y

When the device is secured to a flume, the top and bottom bolts cannotbe removed, as their nuts are arranged to come directly behind and closeto the rack and rod to be taken off.

, It has been the general practice in headgate-locking mechanism toarrange the securing-bolts where they could be easily gotten at, andfarmers desiringto steal water during the night hours have only toremove thebolts and lift the gate and operating mechanism bodily,carefully returning the same to its normal position before morning. Itis impossible to do this with mv device, as the bolts cannot be removed.I preferably use carriage-bolts for this purpose, which have a roundhead and square shank in juxtaposition to it, as shown at Z', whichprevents the bolts turning in their holes. Consequently they must bedriven out after the nuts are removed, which cannot be done withouttaking the device to pieces, and this` cannot be done until the deviceis unlocked.

The operation is as follows: In Fig. 2 the gate is unlocked. The key ofthe rod N is in the hub of the worm. By manually turning `the wrench theworm is turned by the key of the rod. This causes the rack to moveupward. The pitch of the teeth of the worm for ordinary sized gates ispreferably one inch, which gives one inch vertical movement of the gateto each full revolution of the wrench, rod, and worm. 'lhe gate can alsobe sot at any fraction of an inch, as it can be locked at any desiredpoint in the revolution of the wrench. Most gates in use can be lockedonly on the quarters, which is a serious defect. To lock the gate, liftthe rod vertically through the Worm until its projections are in thechamber of the worm and high enough to raise its end above the end ofthe locking-bar, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Then insert the keyin the tumbler-case through the support B and separate the tumblers byturning it until the bolt can be moved in. Then wthdrawit. The tumblers,when the mechanism is unlocked or in the position shown in Fig. 2, arein the recesses T', which prevents the bolt being withdrawn entirely. Assoon as the bolt is released from the tumblers, push it under the end ofthe rod until the tu mblers spring into the recess T2, which locks itthere. Then allow the rod to rest on the bolt, as shown by thefragmentin Fig. 7. To unlock the device, the tumblers must be firstseparated by the key and the bolt drawn back to the recesses T', whichwill allow the rod to drop down, when it can be turned until itsprojections register with the slot in the hub, when it will drop untilthey contact with the step of the block S. This gate operating andlocking mechanism is simple, durable, compact, and efiicient.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new,and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

1. A head gate operating mechanism comprisingaworm gear having hubs, arack meshing in said gear and secured to the gate, abox adapted toreceive and support said gear and rack, a manually operating rod havinga projection adjacent to its lower end, a hollow Vtot IIC

' ter through said hubs, and a slot in the lower end or hubcommunicating with said chamber, adapted to receive said operating vrodprojection, substantially as set forth.

2. In a head gate operating mechanism the combination of the box havinga .chambertherein, a worm journaled therein, a rack in mesh with saidgear, a roller supporting said rack, and a manually operating rodadapted to turn said worm.

3. In a head gate operating mechanism the combination of the box havingthe transverse i partial partitions, the worm, the rack and gate, andthe roller support. p

4. In ahead gate operating mechanism the combination with the box havingthe transverse partition, of the worm having hubs, a hollow chamber,cores throughsaidhubs communicating therewith, a diametrical slot insaid hub, and an independent block supporting the lower hub.

5. In a head gate operating mechanism the combination with the worm andrack and box support, of a manually operated rod arranged in said wormsubstantially as shown and anV independent removable bearing blockadapted for the lower bearing of the worm.

6. In a head gate operating mechanism the combination with the worm,rack and operating rod, of a cast box support having partial transversepartitions, one of which is adapted to support one end of said worin, anindependent block supported by said second partition and adapted tosupport the opposite end of said Worm, and means for securing said boxto the flume box supports to prevent its displacement by removing itsbolts or fastenings. v

7. In a head gate operating mechanism the combination with the worm,rack and operative rod of a cast box support for said parts having twoof its fastening bolts arranged at opposite ends thereof and behind andclose to said rod and rack, whereby the said bolts of their nuts cannotbe removed and the operating device moved from `its normal position.

8. The combination with the worm, and rack having teeth meshing with oneanother, and the operating rod of the independent block having a steppedbearing for the worm and an opening therethrough for the end of saidrod.

9. The combination with the worm and operating rod, of the boxsupporthaving partitions, a groove in the lower partition, an independentbearing block, a locking bar adapted to slide under said block in saidgroove under the end of said operating rod, a tumbler case and tumblersarranged and adapted to lock said bar both in a position of use anddisuse, relatively to said bar, and a key for manipulating saidtumblers.

l0. The combination with the Worm, operating rod and rack, of the boxsupport, the

' independent bearing block, a lock case' secured to said box having alocking bar having two sets of notches arranged therein and adapted tobe moved laterally under said block and the end of said operating rod,notches in the edges of said bar, two spring actuated tu mblers pivoted,in said case to bear in said notches, whereby it may be locked either ina position of use or disuse, and a key for separating said tumblers andreleasing said bar.

1l. The combination with the worm and box of the-lock case, the springactuated tumblers and the locking bar.

12. In ahead gate operating mechanism the combination of the box, theworm, the rack, the operating rod, the roller, the independent bearingblock, the lock case, the spring actuated tumblers, the locking barandthe key, substantially as specified.

13. In a head gate operating mechanism the combination with the box of alock case secured thereto to project therefrom, a support for saidboxforming a portion of said flume, having a recess/therein extendingpartially through it and adapted to receive said case,

and openings therethrough adapted to pass the keyand locking bolt intosaid case.

14. In a head gate operating mechanism the combination of the box andlock case and a cross support provided with a recess adapted toreceiveand conceal said lock case.

l5. The combination of the cast box, the Worm, the operating rod, therack and extension, the gate, the roller, the independent bearing block,the locking bar, the locking case, the spring actuated tumblers, thekey, a hole in said box adapted to receive the end of said key, the topume piece for supporting said operating rod and the lock case supportingflume piece having a recess therein adapted to receive and conceal insaid cross piece the said case.

16. In a head gate operating mechanism the combination ofthe box, theworm, the operating rod, the block, the locking bar, the locking case,the spring actuated tumblers, and means for supporting said box and rodand for concealing said locking case, all arranged substantially asherein set forth.-

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK OORNING BROWN.

Witnesses:

- F. W. HnoxnNDoRF,

F. S. WATKINs.v

foo I IIO

